Creedence Clearwater Revival

"Up Around the Bend" is a song recorded by the American band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and written by the band's lead singer, guitarist and songwriter, John Fogerty. The song was composed and recorded only a few days prior to the band's April 1970 European tour and was included on the album, Cosmo's Factory. The song is opened with a prominent, high-pitched guitar riff played by John Fogerty. The song's lyrics have Fogerty telling of a gathering "up around the bend" on the highway and inviting the listener to join in. According to the Up Around The Bend Songfacts, the song required a bit of translation for British audiences. In England, if you go "around the bend" it means you go crazy. Then the band toured the UK, they had to explain to the British press that the song was not about dementia or mental problems. Released as a single, with "Run Through the Jungle" on the flipside, the double-sided single climbed to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1970, and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of over one million copies. It was also a major hit in the UK, where it reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. The song has been covered by artists such as Elton John, who recorded a version of the song early in his career, and Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks, who covered it on their 1984 album, Two Steps from the Move.